Leland frowned. ‘You mean … re-draw the map, geologically?’

‘Why not? Every mountain range has its outwash soil — rocks and mud that have been carried downstream on to the plains by erosion. If the state geologist could positively identify soil from the Sierras on the plains, then who could argue that the Sierras didn’t begin at the outskirts of Sacramento?’

‘It would have to be legitimate,’ Leland said dubiously. ‘I’d have to send the geologist along to make indisputable tests.’

‘Sure you would,’ said Andy. ‘But maybe Collis has got something. The government’s going to lend us forty-eight thousand a mile for every mile of track we lay over the Sierras; and if the Sierras start right here in Sacramento, then we’re going to make ourselves nearly a million dollars in extra cash. And let’s face facts, we could use it.’

‘If you have a word with the state geologist,’ Collis said to Leland, ‘I’ll have a word with Congressman Watkins by telegraph. I’m sure he’d be only too happy to present our reports to the President.’

‘All right,’ said Leland. ‘It’s kind of a humbug, but I guess it’s worth a try.’

‘The trouble is,’ put in Charles, ‘it still doesn’t solve this forty-mile qualification problem. Even with some of the track attracting forty-eight thousand dollars a mile, we’re still not going to be able to lay forty miles without some kind of extra financial help.’

‘That’s what I was coming to,’ said Collis. ‘I’m planning on making another trip to Washington, to see what I can do about amending the 1862 Railroad Act. This time I’m going to take some money with me, and I’m going to pass it around wherever it’s needed. Straight, no-nonsense bribes. I’ve learned by now that Congress is nothing but a wolf-pack, and that the only way to sway the opinions of a wolf pack is to throw it some raw meat.’

‘How much do you reckon it’s going to cost?’ asked Charles.

‘A quarter of a million dollars. But, believe me, I’ll get results.’

Leland raised his eyebrows, and Andy Hunt whistled.

‘A quarter of a million?’ said Charles. ‘That’s a hell of an expensive risk to take.’

‘It’s either that, or bankruptcy,’ said Collis.

‘But we could use that quarter of a million to lay track,’ put in Leland.

‘How much track? Three miles? Four miles, at the most? No, Leland, there’s only one way we’re going to get out of this, and that’s to buy our way out. That’s the way Congress works. If you want legislation, you have to pay for it.’

Leland sighed. ‘Very well. I believe you know what you’re doing. I just think it’s a very sad reflection on the integrity of the administration.’

‘Wouldn’t you take a bribe, if it were offered?’ asked Collis.